JP3300169B2 - A system that distributes information over a network - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for improving communication between devices on a network, such as workstations.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a network having a recipient-specified communication channel profile and capable of accessing the network of the profile.

[0002] Networks and systems become more integrated,
And as they become more complex, the amount and speed of information flow between users has made it necessary to manage the information flow process more flexibly and more efficiently. Current systems do not specify how information recipients prefer to receive information. In general, the sender controls the format that the information should take and forces the recipient to receive the information in the format specified by the sender.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, there is provided a system network in which a recipient of data on a network manages the flow of information, and in particular, manages the format of information transmitted, communication channels, and actions. There is a need to provide a network repository for receiving information, including.

It is a first object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of data flow over a network. A second object of the present invention is to provide physical properties (printed) or intermediary properties (e-mail, digitally stored voice mail, or facsimile mail), or printers, facsimile, telephone, video terminals, etc. in a network repository. Specifying a preferred format for receiving information, such as the device or service of the device. It is a third object of the present invention to enable a sender to be selected and grouped for a preferred channel, or preferred reception condition, for data sent over a network.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a sender transmits information to a recipient on a network by using a device (such as a printer or a facsimile) and a communication channel (such as e-mail) specified in a recipient profile. This is an automatic distribution method. The recipient profile defines the properties and modes for the recipient on the network to receive the information. The profile is published to all network users in the network repository, ie, can be accessed by selected groups or individuals on the network. Specify information filters that govern sender channel access (for recipients) by designating some channels as having priority for access, such as direct or delayed access, and override senders' recipient profiles By selectively allowing the recipient to take supplementary control over the network sender. Thus, the recipient profile provides the sender with a variety of recipient-specifiable links using a variety of media types, as well as a variety of hardware platforms and network configurations.

[0006]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. Throughout the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a typical multimedia device information system 2 including a workstation 4. The multimedia system 2 allows users to communicate in a transparent device independent manner. The multimedia system 2 can be embodied using various hardware platforms, and includes input devices including a scanner 5, a keyboard 6, a mouse 7, a microphone 8, and a video camera 9. The multimedia system 2 further includes an output device including a display terminal 10, a printer 11, and a speaker 12. Input / output (I /
O) The apparatus includes a facsimile machine 13, a file server 14, and a telephone 15. File server 14
Is configured in the center of or away from the workstation 4 with public, shared and / or private data storage distinguished by user access rights. The server 14 is a relational database system 1
7, network management system 18, mail system 1
9 (eg, email, voice mail), and a data storage / retrieval system 20 and can be physically configured using optical drives, hard drives, floppy drives, and / or tape drives. The above system is capable of instantly querying and searching the relational database system 17 for data.

The workstation 4 is a collaborative environment in which users at different workstations 4 can work together in real time to process and distribute public, shared, or private information that exists in different formats. Work in. (Here, public data is defined as data that anyone can access, shared data is defined as data that can be accessed by a limited number of users, and private data is defined as data that only one user can access. Data that can be defined). The workstation 4 can be in a distributed or centralized environment. In either environment, the workstation 4 is connected to other systems and devices via a local area network (LAN) 24, gateway 25 and / or modem 26. In a distributed system,
Many workstations mutually extend distributed processing and storage capacity, for example, by providing redundant storage or by a single application of a unique application. Workstation 4 is designed for the purpose of representing various data objects and user applications using icons and windows, such as a display showing a metaphor of an office desktop using various abstract terms of a typical office environment. A user interface (UI) 40 is provided. User interfaces are well known for providing metaphors using windows and icons with purpose-oriented principles to maintain data, move through various user spaces, and provide abstract computer concepts. Globalview TV available from Xerox (USA)
(“GV”) software uses abstract terms such as desktops, unprocessed documents, processed documents, and documents.

FIG. 2 shows a workstation 4 and a printer 1.
1 and an example of a multi-function device user interface 40 displayed on the screen 10 of the scanner 5. The user interface (UI) 40 can work away from any system. That is, the user interface (UI) 40 can be extended across network services by using a remote window protocol, such as X Window. For example, the user interface 40 of the printer 11
All workstations 4 or scanners 5, etc.
Can be used away from alternative services. Specifically, the user interface 40 has three areas:
That is, it is divided into a resource bar 42, a status bar 43, and a service area 44. Resource bar 42 is a menu bar that provides user access to high-level services organized on network 24. Resource bar 42
The document source or suitcase 45 within provides the user with a temporary storage space for the document. Suitcase 45
Stores editable documents in use and facilitates movement across network services. That is, the suitcase 45 is a temporary storage space for storing documents while the user travels through the network 24.

Further, the resource bar 42 includes a network service menu 46 and a network management menu 47.
Is prepared. Network service menu 46
Are a printer 11, a facsimile 13, a scanner 5, and a file server (for example, voice mail, e-mail,
Provide access to any network service, such as 19), ports (modem 26, network gateway 25, etc.), and other workstations 4. Also available within the service area 44 is a published communication channel 63 available from the network management system 18. The communication channel 63 is a channel provided to a utility (not shown) for managing the network management system 18. These channels are included in a user profile provided by a user who wants to receive data from other users on the network 24. Other utilities available within the network management system 18 include:
Distribution lists, service access lists, and other domain / area network services. The network management menu 47 provides the user with access to utilities to identify and search for profiles and services. For example, the network management menu 47 includes information on user access privileges in addition to resource privileges for file server access.

The status bar 43 is divided into three dedicated message areas: a system message area 48, a device message area 49, and a programming conflict & prompt message area 50. As the system state changes, the text is updated in message area 50. Message area 50 can be selected to signal a more detailed message. For example,
When the printer is stopped, message area 50 gives a "printer stopped" message and message area 5
A further selection of 0 indicates a more detailed cause of the printer stall. The service area 44 provides a user work space 51 and classifies and holds related services and functions. The selected device is identified on the advance notice menu 52.
That is, the coding on menu 52 provides utilities available to named device 53. For example, device 53 may be a network publishing device with scanning, printing, and fax facilities. Service bar 55 classifies the services available on device 53. For example, a user could select a service module to access a particular document service (eg, scanning service 56, and transmission service 57). Service subbar 58 provides access to subservices within the service module. The workspace 51 provides a user area for creating documents (which may include publications and old documents) for distribution.

More specifically, the transmission service 57 is a service displayed on the service bar 55, and is selected and opened on the user interface 40 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission service 57 includes a sub service, ie, a high-speed transmission 59 and a distribution destination list 60.
And a sub service bar 58 having Transmit bar 57 provides a virtual link or communication channel to other users on network 24. The communication channel 62 is provided by the recipient in the form of a recipient profile to give the recipient the flexibility to specify the mode in which the information is to be received (fax, hardcopy, e-mail, voice mail, etc.). Published to the network. In essence, communication channel 62 is a receiver configurable information filter. The single communication channel 63 includes the user's name 64, user location 65 and identification 66
(For example, scanned in pictures, photos, icons,
Etc.). The distribution list 60 is a sub-service that provides the same functions as the high-speed transmission sub-service except that it is a communication channel directed to a group of individuals. The distribution list 60 is a means for the user to create a regional distribution list. The distribution list 60 sub-service provides a public distribution list to the network or is generated by individual users.

The channel architecture is based on a client-server relationship, where the client equipment is an application exported to the network 24,
Server equipment is imported from the network. In other words, the client accesses the exported server equipment. Thus, some services (printers, scanners, and the like) only export server equipment, that is, provide server equipment but do not use client equipment. As a result, both the channel's client and server may handle the same service, or may handle different services independently. FIG. 3 shows the channel architecture in detail.
Here, the integrated client / server system 102
Is working with a standalone client 104, a server 103, and a communication channel management server 105 that performs network management functions such as storing communication channel information on a disk 106.

Common to the client and server architecture is a communication channel management program 110. The management program 110 includes a network 24, a local storage disk 112, a cache 11
3. Recipient service 114 and sender service 11
5 and the interface 111. In Appendix A,
User interface 111 and recipient service 11
4 / Example of interface for management program 110 between sender services 115. Local storage devices that can be used for the management program 110 include a long-term storage device 112.
(Eg, disk, floppy or tape) and short term fast access, ie cache storage 113
It is. The recipient service 114 is the management program 110
To provide server equipment, while sender service 1
15 provides client facilities. Management program 1
10 directly to another server, such as server 103,
Alternatively, a virtual link or communication channel 63 is established indirectly through the management server 105.

Communication channel management begins when the recipient specifies the preferred format that the document should take when received.
The user selects displ from the network management menu 47.
Activating the user profile 150 shown in FIG. 4 by selecting the ay user profile command (not shown). The user profile 150 is completed by the user (eg, Fred Smith) and published to the network management server 105 using the publish command 151 on the profile announcement bar 152. Announcements to other network users specify the preferred format in which the information desired by the publisher (ie, Fred Smith) is received. Profile property 1
53 are many different profile categories. Each category can be checked, locked, or not selected. If you do not select a category, that category will not be locked or checked. The checked category box, e.g., fax box 155, identifies facsimile as a user-set default receive selection. For example, if Fred Smith checks the fax slot, all facsimile documents sent to him will be forwarded to the fax with the identified telephone number in profile properties 153. In a similar manner, Fred Smith can set his preferences for individual page printers, color printers, or any other device that receives information. It is noted that the ability to list or scroll through multiple printers or devices and that the user or recipient can rank the devices or modes of communication by the priority of selection to receive the information is fully within the scope of the present invention. Should.

The user, or publisher, can also use the lock as shown in page printer box 156 to selectively lock the selection or plan. This locking function prohibits the user from changing the published plan. The locking mechanism may be a hard button or a soft button, or an indicator that prohibits a change of a specified mode or device. In other words, the check box and lock identify the recipient's choice, and the lock prevents the sender from deviating from the published recipient profile.
For example, a user sending a document may wish to change the preferred printer to allow color printing instead of black and white printing if not locked.

Each profile property 153 can be further selected through the category of each frame described above. For example, the page printer selection window 159 shown in FIG. 5 shows how a user changes the plan for an individual category. When the page printer button 156 is clicked twice, the page printer window 159 is displayed.
Opens. The user, Fred Smith, selects the preferred page printer by filling in the appropriate category in window 159 containing private button P, and then selects "Cancel" or "Close" on the notice bar in window 159. Can apply or cancel these choices. However, the profile properties 153 are not limited to those shown in the user profile 150. The preferred form of reception can be entered as a property of the user profile 150. Some examples include a video conference center and a voice mailbox.

FIG. 6 shows a user profile 150 (FIGS. 4 and 5) according to the network management menu 47.
Is shown in a series of steps. In box 160, the user invokes the "open user profile" command (not shown) in network management menu 47 to open the user profile. Upon receiving an "Open Channel Profile" command, identified in Box 161 as "Open Channel Profile" in Appendix A, the management program 110 (FIG. 3) is activated. To return the user profile, the management program 110
Queries the channel profile database 112 for the current user profile logged on. Alternatively, if the user profile is not available from local database 112, query management server 105. Once the profile is returned to the user interface (IU) 111, the user can invoke any of the profile properties displayed in the profile 150. In box 162,
User interface 111 is open profile 1
An arbitrary command received from 50 is designated as a task.

In box 163, profile property 153 is selected. In box 164,
If you determine that the property is not complex, box 1
At 65, for example, a property specification is displayed as shown in FIG. 5 for the page printer selection window 159. If the property is complex, box 178 is accessed to display an additional list or sub-property (described in more detail below with respect to FIG. 8). At any time after changing or simply viewing profile properties, the user interface 111
In, it is determined which changes requested in box 166 should be recorded. In box 167, management program 110 records the listed profile changes.
In two cases (whether the specification of the profile property has been modified or not), the control is box 1
Returning to 62, the next command from the user profile 150 can be dispatched.

In box 168, after making a profile change, or simply
After opening the profile, the profile can be published to the network management server 105 at box 169 or to an identifiable group or individual on the network 24 at box 170. If a group or recipient is identified, box 171
In proof of their identity. Next, in box 175, the user profile is published to the network or network user individual or group. However, before publication, if profile 1
Once the elements in 50 have been modified, the elements in profile 150 are updated in local database 112 so that the local profile and the published profile still match. This is shown in box 172 for determining whether the modified profile or property exists, and in box 174 for updating the modified profile in local database 112.
After publication, in box 176, the profile 150
And wait for the next user command in box 177. (If publication is not required, the user can select the "close" command in the preview bar of profile 150.)

According to profile 150, reception priority 1
Select the reception priority window 1 shown in FIG.
80 can be opened to select supplemental priorities for receiving information based on factors such as sender match or status. The direct access priority 181 and the delayed access priority 182 correspond to the user communication channel 6
3 access control is established. In this case, the priority established by the user determines where the information should be received and what level of priority the information should be given. Priority 154 categorizes network users into a plurality of directories, such as directories 181,182. Users in the direct access directory have the effect of putting the information or data received from the user directly into a preferred location, eg, the recipient's e-mail box, while users in the delayed access directory 182 store the received data in a remote location. Or put it in a hard to access place. Delayed access directory 182 is a directory of all network users (eg, a network directory). This directory is stored in the management program 110
Is updated by querying the management server 105. A user can move an individual from one directory to another by simply selecting the individual and moving its iconic representation to an alternate directory.

Further, the access properties can be searched from all the networks supporting the management server 105 by identifying the network route 183. The access properties can be individually modified for each user listed in the directories 181, 182 (eg, the user in FIG. 8, Marri Flaherty). The sequence of steps required to establish channel access for different users is shown in FIG. In box 164, reception priority 154 was selected. In box 178, since only the information needed for system 102 is kept locally,
An inquiry is made to the remote management server 105. The displayed access properties 182 can be changed to the user's choice. For example, the access right property 186
Specifies whether sender information is sent to the printer, to the queue, or to the desktop. For example, the recipient can grant an individual an "interrupt at desktop" privilege and give another individual a "reject" or "return busy" message. A priority property 187 ranks users for their interrupt priority. Formatting property 1
88 provides the recipient with the ability to maintain sender finishing options (eg, job ticket information). For example, a transmitted document may specify wire or adhesive binding as output specifications. The user can use the formatting properties 188 to specify whether to ignore such document specifications.

As shown in FIG. 9, a communication channel, such as channel 63, is used to select a document from document source 45 (eg, report 34) and transfer it to communication channel 63. The job status window 195 shown in FIG. 10 displays the document transmission progress. As shown in FIG. 11, when transmitting a document over a communication channel without modifying the properties, the channel uses the properties published by the recipient. The profile properties window 196 is opened with the user transmission information and displays the properties of the channel device from the recipient channel profile. In the example shown in FIG.
ebbie Cahn's communication channel allows the sender of the information to select the disposition of the document from a fax, page printer, color printer, or email. This option is enabled by the recipient at the time of the channel announcement. For example, this channel will allow Debbie to be flexible enough to send information to individuals.
Cahn could have forwarded it to the current document sender. In this example, if the sender using system 4 does not access Dbbie Cahn's profile 196 and sends report 34 to DebbieCahn, Debbie's fax will be the selected (checked) profile. Debbie has a fax line (12
3-888-3456). Identify and list options, priorities, and defaults for the recipient profile, provide a number of alternative modes of access, and identify such options and priorities as well as the sender's group and category, It should be noted that allowing selective access to a potential individual sender is fully within the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a display screen of a multiplexing device user interface embodying a communication channel of the present invention used on the display screen shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram used in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a display screen showing a simulated image of a published communication channel.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a display screen showing a simulated image of properties of a communication channel being modified.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the overall steps required to announce a communication channel.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a display screen showing a simulated image of a communication channel profile in which a receiver can be set.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a display screen showing a simulation image of an access property of a communication channel.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a display screen showing a simulated image of information being transmitted using a communication channel.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a display screen showing a simulated image of a state of information being transmitted in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a display screen showing a simulated image of a communication channel being optimized by a sender.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Multimedia device information system 4 Workstation 5 Scanner 6 Keyboard 7 Mouse 8 Microphone 9 Video camera 10 Display device 11 Printer 12 Speaker 13 Facsimile 14 File server 15 Telephone 17 Relational database system 18 Network management system 19 Mail system 20 Data storage / retrieval System 24 Local Area Network (LAN) 25 Gateway 26 Modem 40 User Interface 42 Resource Bar 43 Status Bar 44 Service Area 45 Document Source or Suitcase 46 Network Service Menu 47 Network Management Menu 48 System Message Area 49 Device Message Area 50 Conflict / Prompt Message area 51 User workspace 52 Notice menu 53 Named device 55 Service bar 56 Document service (Scan) 57 Document service (Send) 58 Sub-service bar 60 Distribution list 62 Channel 63 Published communication channel 64 User name 65 User location 66 Position Proof 63 Published Communication Channel 102 Integrated Client / Server System 103 Server 104 Client 105 Communication Channel Management Server 106 Disk 110 Communication Channel Management Program 111 User Interface 112 Local Storage Disk 113 Cache 114 Recipient Service 115 Sender Service 150 User Profile 151 Public command 152 Profile notice bar 153 Profile property 154 Reception Precedence 155 Fax button 156 Page printer button 159 Page printer selection window 180 Opened reception priority window 181 Direct access priority 182 Delayed access priority 183 Route 186 Access right property 187 Priority property 188 Formatting property 195 Job status window 196 Profile Properties window

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Thomas Jay Herseg United States of America 14534 Pittsford East Street 473 (72) Inventor Jonathan D. Levin United States of America New York 14609 Rochester Indiana Street 58 (72) Inventor David M. Parsons United States of America 14450 Fairport Terrace Villa, New York 15 (56) References JP-A-5-235956 (JP, A) JP-A-2-103669 (JP, A) (58) Fields studied (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) ) H04L 12/28 G06F 13/00 351

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A system for distributing information on a network, comprising: a server constituting a first system element for receiving information; and a second system element for sending information to the server. A client that is located on the network away from the server and communicates with the server using the network ;
Send information to the client via the network
Is sending information, and the information recipient is
Has received information from the server via
, The preferred passing in between the client and the server
Communication channels with properties that determine the communication mode
The preferred communication mode depends on the information recipient.
Is controlled Te, further, the user the server to enable communication between the said to receive information in a defined mode by the communication channel, the server and the client using the communication channel system characterized in that it comprises interface. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said communication channel includes an access control for setting a communication priority of said server. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the properties of the communication channel are published on the network.